Uncertainty Looms Over Virginia Tech Entering Offseason
Even the most astute observers of Virginia Tech football have to admit there are many unknowns surrounding the program post-spring.
It’s hard to believe that the last column I wrote was Feb. 8 of this year, but I have my reasons.
I got married in March and wrapped up the honeymoon in early April. While I was preoccupied with those matters, I also had to admit something to myself when it comes to Virginia Tech football — I don’t know much of anything right now, even after watching the Hokies’ annual Spring Game on Saturday.
Consider these points…
Virginia Tech locked down their spring practices, showing very little to the local media. The Hokies’ playbook during Saturday’s Spring Game was even more vanilla than usual.
Brent Pry has two new coordinators, both of whom are expected to make serious scheme changes. Including the new coordinators, Pry hired a host of new assistants and reassigned duties for other coaches.
Kyron Drones missed a significant portion of spring and is undergoing surgery. Pop Watson picked up a “soft-tissue” injury before Saturday’s Spring Game, meaning none of the three quarterbacks fans saw last weekend have a high likelihood of playing this season.
Add all that together, plus a cadre of transfers on both sides of the ball, and it’s hard to piece together exactly what fans can expect on Aug. 31 in Atlanta.
All these questions leave me rather unsettled, a feeling I’d prefer not to have entering Brent Pry’s fourth season.
You don’t need me to tell you that the upcoming season is critical for Pry and his superiors. The Virginia Tech administration is taking slings of arrows from all sides, including from some dude in Texas. Pry needs wins, and he needs them now.
The uncertainty surrounding this coaching staff, this roster, and the current administration, will only ratchet up the pressure on everyone associated with the Merryman Athletic Center.
I wish I could paint a rosier picture of it all as we enter the warmer months, but I can’t. I have too many questions of my own:
Will either Kyron Drones or Pop Watson have a strong enough command of the offense to win games?
Did Virginia Tech appropriately replace their stars from last year, particularly at wide receiver and on defense?
Will Philip Montgomery and Sam Siefkes be able to get the most out of the roster?
It’s almost go time in Blacksburg. In a few short months, Pry has to face the prodigal son of Blacksburg in a primetime matchup that will have an outsized impact on the perception of Pry’s program.
How will that go? Given the concerns above, it’s impossible to say.